Your guide to the most luxurious Castles and Manor Houses in Ireland

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel is one of the finest 4 star luxury castle hotels in Ireland. Set in a private 450 acre estate of woodland, rivers and walks in the heart of Connemara Co. Galway. This luxury, yet unpretentious Castle Hotel stands proudly overlooking its famous salmon fishery, with a backdrop of the beautiful 12 Bens Mountain range. Ballynahinch Castle Hotel is also the perfect base for walking in Connemara.

“Ballynahinch may be the most relaxing castle hotels in the world. It is, in every sense, an oasis, a place apart… Bridgestone Guide, Top 100″

About Us

The tradition of hospitality at Ballynahinch Castle has long and strong foundations. Beautiful rooms, including the luxury Riverside wing, are tastefully and individually furnished.

In casual country elegance, a superb restaurant, fed by fresh home produce and locally caught fish is complimented by an attractive old world bar and open log fires. With 350 acres of exceptionally beautiful wooded grounds and walks, fishing rights on our own salmon river and lakes, 13,000 acres of prime woodcock shoot, tennis and cycling, the castle offers all the attractions of a large private estate. A championship golf course, sea fishing and horse riding are all within easy reach. Ballynahinch, the jewel in the crown of Connemara encompasses late 20th Century comforts in a setting untouched by time. Two aa Rosettes. Recommended by Bridgestone’s Jameson Guide, Karen Brown and Fodors.

Accommodation

Few Castle Hotels in Ireland offer hotel rooms with aspects to match Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara. The hotel accommodation comprises of 40 guest rooms, of which nearly half are classic rooms situated in the older part of the Connemara castle, and two riverside wings of superior rooms and luxury rooms and suites.

All the hotel rooms are finished to an exceptionally high standard and all superior and luxury rooms have stunning views across river and woodland. The Classic hotel rooms have views over either the river or mountains with two over looking the courtyard.

Classic Single
Classic Double room at single occupancy.
Located in the original house with views of the river, mountains or courtyard. Views can be requested but not guaranteed. All rooms have recently been refurbished.

Classic Double/Twin
Located in the original house and recently refurbished the rooms are over looking the mountain, river or both.
All rooms en-suite with bath/shower. Queen, King and Twin beds available. Views are on request but not guaranteed.

Superior Double/Twin
Large spacious rooms overlooking the river with a king size bed (some with four poster on request but not guaranteed) or twin beds.
Walk through dressing area into bathroom. Bathrobes, slippers and twin hand basins

Luxury Double/Twin
Large spacious rooms with panoramac views of the river and woodland, located in the luxury river wing with private parking.
King size beds many with four posters (on request but not guaranteed) as well as rooms with twin beds. Facilities include CD, DVD players, a walk through dressing area into their bathrooms with bathrobes and slippers. Twin hand basins, walk in shower as well as a bathtub/shower.

Riverside Suite
Located in the luxury river wing with private parking. The bedroom has a queen bed overlooking the grounds and a separate sitting room which overlooks the river and woodland. Both the bedroom and sitting room have a TV, the latter with a CD and DVD player. They also have a walk through dressing area into their bathrooms with bathrobes and slippers. Twin hand basins, walk in shower as well as a bathtub/shower

Dining

The kitchens of Ballynahinch Castle, under the careful stewardship of Head Chef Xin Sun, have been delighting both visitors and local diners for years. Credited with two rosettes by the Automobile Association and using only the finest and freshest ingredients, Xin and his team take advantage of the wealth of fresh fish, and game available on the West Coast, to produce wonderfully balanced yet creative dishes.
Enjoying the produce of our kitchens while taking in the glorious view from the Owenmore Restaurant is one of the highlights of any trip to Ballynahinch Castle.

Changing the menus regularly to reflect the seasons ensures that regular visitors to Ballynahinch can enjoy a varied and interesting selection of dishes.

Activities

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel and Connemara both offer a wealth of activities and pursuits in County Galway. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation in Ireland or an active hotel break in the West, there is something to suit everybody no matter what pace you prefer in Connemara.
Walking, pony trekking, hiking, cycling, golfing and woodcock shooting are all close at hand. Please contact reception who can organise pony trekking on the beach or contact the walking centre for guided walks through the hills of Connemara.

For fly fishing enthusiasts, Ballynahinch Fishery is world renowned as one of the finest Salmon and sea trout rivers in Ireland. Also, Ballynahinch Castle Hotel Galway holds sway over 13,000 acres of prime terrain and woodcock shooting is held from November through to the end of January.

Fishing
The Ballynahinch Catchment drains an area of 68 square miles and is a diverse system of interconnected loughs and rivers, drained by the Ballynahinch River and offering the very best of fly fishing in Ireland. This majestic river, with fishing rights owned exclusively by the Ballynahinch Estate, winds its way underneath the Castle for three kilometres until it reaches the wild Atlantic Ocean at Bertraghboy Bay,Connemara Ireland. All salmon and sea trout entering this magnificent system must swim up this river through the Ballynahinch Castle Hotel Estate giving Ballynahinch its world-renowned reputation as a famous salmon and sea trout fishery.

Walking
Located in the heart of Connemara, Ballynahinch Castle Hotel is the ideal base for walking holidays in the West of Ireland.

The woodlands around the estate offer over five kilometers of woodland, lakeshore and riveside walks suitable for all. Further afield The Twelve Bens, Maumturk Mountains and surrounding countryside offer unlimited walking possibilites.

Ballynahinch EstateBallynahinch Castle Hotel Galway is located at the heart of the Ballynahinch Estate. Comprising 450 acres of beautiful woodlands, gardens, lakes and rivers, this sporting country estate offers a secluded retreat of peace for any visitor.
The terraced gardens by the river, the walled garden with its labarynth and tennis court and the miles of river and lakeside walks, provide the perfect environment for a quiet and reflective walk. As you stroll the grounds of Ballynahinch Castle you my encounter some of the other inhabitants of Ballynahinch. Among the many species of wildlife one can expect to meet are mallard, teal, foxes, maybe a view of a swooping kestrel or merlin or perhaps if you are lucky you may glimpse the elusive tree dwelling Pine Martin.

Every turn brings a new delight to discover and walking maps are available at reception. For those feeling a little more energetic there is the tennis court, bikes for hire and of course fly-fishing. There is so much to see and do without even leaving the grounds of Ballynahinch Castle 4 Star Hotel Connemara.

Business RetreatBallynahinch Castle is not a conference venue and it does not offer formal Board meeting facilities. What we do provide is the ideal location for business executives to meet in an informal and relaxed setting away from the usual day-to-day stresses of running a business.
If you’d like your team to take time out, to hold constructive business discussions or simply to socialise together in an elegant and inspiring setting, then why not book Ballynahinch Castle as the definitive Directors Retreat. We look forward to welcoming you to the Estate nestled in the heart of Connemara, Galway.

Local Attractions and Things to Do in Connemara

Ballynahinch is an ideal base for a golfing holiday in Ireland. There are several golf courses in the area. The most renowned Golf Course being the Connemara Championship 18 Hole Links Course in Ballyconneely.

There are numerous other 18 hole golf courses in the county such as The Barna Golf Course, The Galway Bay Course in Oranmore and the Oughterard Golf Course. The hotel will be happy to make advanced bookings for tee times and confirm any other arrangements for you.

There are many activities in the West of Ireland that can be enjoyed to the fullest while staying at Ballynahinch Castle.

Ballynahinch Castle is centrally located for one to enjoy the landscape, scenery and people of the Connemara area, which will refresh your very senses.

Clifden is the largest town in the area with several shops, a bank, pretty craft and coffee shops. Clifden is a 15 minute drive from Ballynahinch Castle and is a good starting to enjoy the scenic Sky Road Drive.

This drive will take you back onto the N59 and take you towards, Letterfrack, the Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey.

Kylemore Abbey was originally built in 1868 and is now the home to the Irish Benedictine Nuns. Facilities at Kylemore include a visitor’s centre, restaurant, Gothic church, gardens, lake and mountain walks, pottery, craft and souvenir shop Connemara National Park & Visitor Centre at Letterfrack, includes an exhibition on the boglands of the West of Ireland, an audio-visual introduction to the Park and nature trails.

Roundstone is a pretty fishing village just a 15 minute drive from Ballynahinch, here you will find craft shops including Malachy Bodhrán, a famous Bodhrán and Instrument maker. As well as the well-known beach, Dog’s Bay and Gurteen Bay, from which on a lucky day one might be able to spot a dolphin swimming.

The Irish speaking Aran Islands are well worth a day trip; people here are renowned for their unique way of life where age old traditions co-exist comfortably with modern living. The islands have a rich history, which can be seen from their ancient monuments, from both prehistoric and Christian times. You may take a 20 minute ferry crossing from Rossaveal on the Connemara coast.

One can also head out to Inishbofin Island for the day and enjoy the historical ruins dating back to the Cromwellian period. Please ask at reception on arrival if there are any festivals, events or activities that we can recommend during your stay.